Friday, April 28, 2017

MEN WHO MAKE TV COMMERCIALS, MOVIES AND VICE VERSA



By Roger Pe
Business Mirror
April 29, 2017 issue

Can you tell a story in 30 or 45 seconds? What about in lesser time, 15 seconds, for example? In advertising world, a 60-seconder is already an extended version and it is different from a documentary or audio-video presentation.

Television ads have become an art form, showing the latest technology, special effects and using many different kinds of emotions - all in a matter of seconds, to connect to the consumer target.

The driver behind the steering wheel during the production stage of the approved concept is the director. He is responsible for bringing the creative team's vision to life, in close partnership with the advertiser and advertising agency. 

They usually start young or evolve from their advertising profession (creative director, art director or producer). Some begin apprenticing as production assistants or at the bottom of the food chain - utilitymen or assistant to the assistant of the cameraman. 


Some have burnt the midnight candle inside studios where they literally would not see the light of day, doing editing jobs, MTVs or inexpensive videos. Some were just driven to make it. Others had innate talent and just naturally gravitated to it until Lady Luck smiled at them and they hit big time. 

Behind the cutthroat competition is a common denominator: they are all storytellers, men or women who were not considered stars (movie stars were “stars”), but shadows operating in the background, doing what big brands hired them to deliver an assignment on a prescribed timetable.

A little backgrounder 

During the 70s, Young and Rubicam and Doyle Dane and Bernbach, two of many hyper-active ad agencies on New York’s Madison Avenue, were known as training grounds for directing and had a number of art directors and producers who eventually became famous. Among them were Bob Giraldi, Stan Dragoti, Bert Steinhauser, Sid Myers and Dick Lowe.


Joe Sedelmaier, a former art director for Y&R Chicago, revolutionized the use of comedy in tv ads, as shown in his memorable "Fast Talker" series for FedEx. He was also among the first directors to cast real people instead of actors.
Then European ad agencies invaded the U.S. and British adman Ridley Scott, created Chanel's "Share the Fantasy" campaign for DDB and eventually directed one of the most talked about commercials of all time, Apple's "1984" (No. 12 on Advertising Age's top 100 ad campaigns of the 20th century). “It epitomized the British look, with his highly stylized images,” according to Advertising Age.

In the 80s, big-name movie directors realized that making commercials was not only lucrative but also allowed them to hone their craft by telling a story in 30 seconds. 

Feature-film directors such as Penny Marshall, Robert Altman, John Schlesinger, John Frankenheimer, Spike Lee, Tony Bill, John Badham, Martin Scorsese and David Lynch began making themselves available for commercials.

A number of successful British commercial directors then turned to making feature films. Adrian Lyne directed "Flashdance" (1983) and "Fatal Attraction" (1987). Ridley Scott’s movies included "Blade Runner" (1982), "Thelma & Louise" (1991) and "Gladiator" (2000).

Tony Scott made "Top Gun" (1986) and "Crimson Tide” (1995) among others. Hugh Hudson directed "Chariots of Fire" in 1981. All of them crossed over between films and commercials, contributing to the development of a new breed: the Crossover director.

Film production in the Philippines

Even before the war, the country’s filmmaking industry was considered one of the most prolific and vibrant in Asia and the country had many talented directors. Today, the number keeps rising and new generation of megmen, better trained and studied abroad, contribute to the growth of the industry. Some of them, too, have brought honors to the country and continue to blaze new trails. 
National Artists Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, apart from their landmark films that lovers of great Filipino films know, also crossed over, making tv commercials for McCann-Erickson Philippines. Under his wing, Brocka trained a few Filipino talents, among them Jeric Soriano, son of the late matinee idol Nestor de Villa. 

Soriano was part of Brocka’s behind-the-scene team in making “Angela Markado”, “Kapit sa Patalim”, “Bayan Ko” and “PX”, all internationally acclaimed films (the last two were shown in Cannes and Manila International Film festivals, respectively).

Soriano would also shine on his own, directing memorable tv commercials. Some of them were for Palmolive (“I Can Feel It” with Alice Dixson, Sarsi (“Angat Sa Iba”), Magnolia Cheezee (“Umi-Spread Ang Sarap”) and did around 490 more, a conservative estimate over a 25-year career. 

Past forward, his son Paul would also venture into filmmaking and tv commercial directing. To date, the younger Soriano has done almost 60 tv commercials, even surpassing what his Dad had accomplished by winning Best Director and Best Screenplay awards in the Film Academy Awards of the Philippines (FAP) in 2012.

During a one-on-one interview, Soriano emphasized his mantra in doing a material. “The story has to be told well, because, for me, the story is king and has to be executed correctly.”

Soriano is a stickler for discipline, a great communicator with a creative mindset for a good script and dramatic images. “I marry a narrative with a visual style that evokes drama. I want people to be affected and watch what I create.”

“A great movie for me is when it moves and challenges me, even my opinion,” Soriano said. “A great film is something you’d want to watch over and over again. It has great writing, appropriate editing, and created by the director from a different perspective. A great tv ad for me is when it resonates with me, drives me to crave for it, allowing me to make a purchase,” he said.

Lino Brocka inspired Soriano for his focus on delivering a movie with great storytelling. He respects Lav Diaz, director of 2016 Venice Film Festival Best Picture, “Ang Babaing “Humayo” among new generation of Filipino filmmakers.
Having been his mentor, he is immensely grateful for the maverick director whom he also calls a ‘brother’. Diaz’ “don’t-take-life-seriously” philosophy in life, has also made an impact on Soriano. He is someone who is like a kid on the set but man enough to deliver the goods.

At the FAP, Soriano won a Best Screenplay award for “Thelma” and made the win more emphatic by bagging the most coveted – the Best Director prize for the same film. “It is my dream to be a director and winning would inspire me more in my craft,” he said on accepting his trophy.

The best is yet to come for the Philippine cinema, Soriano said. He romanticizes watching a great film, whether local or foreign made, in a theatre. “There’s nothing quite like the experience, with you eating popcorn, together with the rest of 400 people or so watching. Cinema is the king of projection. I don’t want theatre to die,” he said.

On the creative process, Soriano wishes for more professional people on the set. “Art is defining a culture and art is still discipline. I bring that to my shoot. People should respect the creation of the film and not underestimate pre-production preparation. It is a disservice to the art if you are not committed to it,” he said. His parting words for new directors: “Know the language of the film”.

New generation of Filipino filmmakers

We also interviewed new generation of Filipino tv commercial directors to give you valuable insights and learning experience from Jessel Monteverde (“Shake, Rattle and Roll” and award-winning Indie films), Nick Santiago (former copywriter and studied at State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick), Yeyey Yatco (multi-awarded and former multinational ad agency Art Director) and Torts Villacorta (graduate of communication arts with strong emphasis on film, technical expertise on food cinematography and mastery of the narrative). Here are their thoughts:


What is a good tv commercial to you?

Jessel Monteverde: A good TV commercial provides a clear message for the promotion of product/service/brand. It reaches the maximum number of a specific target audience and rises above the clutter of ads. A great TV commercial offers the viewer some other value over and above just the promotion of the product/service/brand.

Nick Santiago: Before, a good TVC was one that people remember and talk about.  Now it has to be one people can share.

Yeyey Yatco: Aside from having excellent and well-planned production values, a good TV Commercial is one that touches its target market one way or another. It should be able to elicit some kind of connection that would prompt the viewer and say, “ako yun ah!” With this, the product the ad is selling would create a strong bond with its consumer.

Torts Villacorta: A good commercial should communicate well with its intended audience and sell a product. 

What is your creative philosophy when making an ad?

Monteverde: Art and commerce must coexist. We are not strictly creating works of art here. The TV ad has a very specific purpose and one must be mindful of that purpose.

Santiago: My personal creative philosophy in making an ad is to make it not seem like an ad.

Yatco: To be able to clearly send the ad’s message across. A director should be able to do this with the smallest or biggest of budgets.

How do you keep yourself updated with global trends in filmmaking?

Monteverde: I keep an eye out on movies, videos, and technology online.

Santiago: I keep myself updated by constantly watching, reading, and listening to content.  Creativity is derived from a new combination of past experiences.

Yatco: Right now, being connected makes it easy to research and see what is new and trending in terms of filmmaking. Subscribing to industry publications on-line or print is a big help also.
I also watch a lot of films, TV shows and even other TVC’s to keep me updated. Another important aspect of my being updated is reaching out to different kinds of people—students of various levels, workers, executives, etc. This just gives me different perspectives on how these types of people view different things.

Villacorta: Aside from the usual online search engines and online video repositories, I try to watch as many film director interviews, new behind-the-scene documentaries, and production technology advancements as I can. 

Describe yourself when making a production. Who are you on the set?

Monteverde: I am the captain of the ship. If I take too long in the bathroom, the ship won’t move. I am a collaborator. I take input from all sides. One person can’t possibly have all the best ideas.

Santiago: On the set, I try to be an inspirational leader.  I try to get everyone to perform to the best of their ability so we can have the best output. 

Yatco: I try to be everybody’s friend on the set. I like my set to be as light as possible. I am everybody’s friend but that doesn’t mean that anybody can fool around. If you are on my set, I expect you to do your job efficiently. As much as possible, all concerns have been addressed during the pre-production stage of the project at hand.

Villacorta: I consider myself a Perfectionist. I’m extremely obsessive during the shoot, which I think is an actual understatement. You can ask my team. They know me best. Everything should run as smooth as possible but without being inflexible. It’s collaboration, after all.

Would you accept a project that would compromise your image/status or you’d take it as a challenge?

Monteverde: No. Reputation, once tarnished is a very difficult thing to restore.

Santiago: Of course I would take it and try to make it the best it could possibly be.

Yatco: I take all projects as a challenge. There is no small project. To me all projects should be treated with utmost respect, which means 100% attention from the staff and me.

Villacorta: I consider each project as a challenge. 

Advertisers or ad agencies at some point would clash because of creative interpretation or ego. What do you do to avoid conflicts and maintain good relations with them?


Monteverde: I try to think of solutions that maintain creativity while at the same time meeting the advertising objectives.

Santiago: By remembering that in the end, it’s just an ad.  No one is going to die over it. You win some, you lose some.

Yatco: My thinking is that once a project is handed to a director, client and agency should have agreed on every point of the storyboard/TV commercial. But, yes, this doesn’t always happen. When it doesn’t, the director should be able to point out where the conflict arises and try to show and explain to both client and agency how the concerns could be addressed.

It is also important to know when a director should come in. The director should be able to discern if the concern is strategic or creative in nature. It is also important to know the proper channels or protocols on how to discuss concerns.

Oh, and this should be discussed, as much as possible, during the feasibility and pre-production meetings. That is why I believe that the Pre-Production Agreement Document is my friend. Everybody can just refer to it during the principal photography.


How did you get into the field of production?

Monteverde: After deciding not to go to medical school, I spent a summer watching Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Kevin Smith films. I then realized that there is a career in directing.

Santiago: I entered production after first starting out in advertising as a creative and realizing that TV commercials were my favorite part of my job.

Yatco: I was an art director with McCann Ericson under the Coke Group. We were involved in a lot of TV productions and I was fortunate to have worked with different directors. The production process fascinated me. I was awed with how everything comes together.

During my stint as an art director, I got close with Matthew Rosen, a British Director based here in Manila under Unitel Productions. He saw my interest in filmmaking and he offered me a job as his assistant/apprentice. I accepted it and, eventually, got to work with the different directors of Unitel at that time like Jun Reyes, Dindo Angeles, Sockie Fernandez and, of course, Matthew Rosen.

Villacorta: I think my turning point was when Mon & Abby of JimenezBasic encouraged me to make the jump from Producing to Directing. Henry Frejas was also instrumental in that decision.

Who influenced you much and gave you a break in directing?

Monteverde: My influences come from many famous filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Ang Lee, Wong Kar Wai, etc. My big breaks into a directing career came from my cousin Dondon Monteverde, Ross Misa, and Mari Buencamino.

Santiago: I was influenced by my older brother, Luigi, himself a director. AF Benaza gave me my break by taking a chance on a know-it-all kid.

Yatco: Tony Gloria, who gave me a chance to be able to work with the best directors up close and personal. Luigi Tabuena, who kept on insisting that I try out directing when I was still with McCann. He eventually hired me to join the director pool of Production Village. Ross Misa and Mari Buencamino, who from the start, were always behind me in my career as a director.  

What is your dream project?

Monteverde: Anything that I personally would like to watch and would be entertaining to others.

Santiago: My dream project is an adidas commercial starring Daft Punk and Girls Generation.

Yatco: In terms of film making in general? I’d love to do a prequel, remake or sequel to the Mike de Leon Classic, Batch 81.

Villacorta: A narrative, that’s purely storytelling.

Does one limit his creativity because of budget?

Monteverde: Yes. Budget allows you to broaden the scope of creativity. However, this doesn’t mean that a low-budget project can’t be creative.

Santiago: Lack of budget makes on become more creative.

Yatco: During Just Add Water’s talk in Abracadabra, Jem Lim made us realize this –– In terms of a production, she looks at three things and makes client and agency this reality: Great. Fast. Cheap. You can’t have all three in one project. You can only have two.

My take is that one should realize or know how much his budget is and work from there. A classic example is a Vulcaseal commercial shot in the 80’s. It was just a shot of dripping water to a pail inside a house while it was raining hard outside. The dripping stops and tag line comes in, “Tapal Vulcaseal!” One set up and one shot was all it took. This ad brought home lots of awards.


What is your favorite Filipino or foreign tv commercial that you wish you did.

Monteverde: Too many to list, mostly foreign commercials.

Santiago: Adidas’ “Hello Tomorrow” by Spike Jonze.

Yatco: I am a romantic at heart. Locally, I would have wanted to do any of the recent digital ads of Jollibee. I wish to be able to do something like that. There was a student spec ad for Johnnie Walker that came out a few years ago. I would also love do something like this. Even Filipinize it!

If you have a power to change something in the way we do things what would they be?

Monteverde: We need to figure out this paradigm shift from TV to online advertising. Somehow because of the low cost of online advertising, it has been equated with lower cost-to-produce materials. This needs to be seriously discussed because people are dying from being overworked trying to fit projects into small budgets.

Santiago: I would make sure that others would think of other’s first before they acted.

Yatco: That is for everyone to be paid fairly and on time. We are directors and we have the privilege of being paid well and on time. My heart bleeds for the staff and crew who have to wait to be paid for a long time.



Things you want to see happening in the Filipino production industry today.

Monteverde: We need more formal education in filmmaking. We don’t have dedicated degrees in directing, producing, screenwriting, etc. Many learn in a trial-by-fire manner. Many rise through internships and OTJ training. Those are fine but would be even better if supported by formal education.  

Santiago: I would like to see projects take more risks, rather than walk the beaten, proven path.  I want the Philippines to do creative that’s not just fresh for this country, but fresh to the world.

Yatco: Professionalize everything. It would help a lot if production houses can educate the staff and crew with the basics of production. This way everyone would feel dignified and respected with his/her job.
Brag a little, things you have done in the last three years, that you are most proud of, school or career specialization you attended, etc.

Monteverde: I have discovered the power of networking. You can be the greatest filmmaker in the world, but if no one knows who you are, you won’t get much work. I learned of this power after being invited as a speaker for a couple of forums on filmmaking. I met like-minded individuals who are open to mutualistic relationships and career building.

Santiago: I had my first son.

Yatco: I am proud to say that I can give back already. I do this by giving talks on film making to high school and college students. Ateneo de Manila University, my alma mater, for Senior HS students as a career talk and the College of Communications and CoSA as a career path. University of the Philippines, my other alma mater, wherein I have given talks and have held workshops on film making in the College of Mass Communications and the College of Business Administration. Miriam College, where I have given similar talks and workshops mentioned above during their MassCom week for several years already. I, also, have done two short films for a foundation that advocates reading. I am always here ready to help.

Friday, April 14, 2017

CRUISE TOURISM: THE BILLION PESO IMPACT ON PHILIPPINE ECONOMY


by Roger Pe
Business Mirror
April 15, 2015 issue

No less than Conde Nast, the travel bible, called the Philippines as “the next great destination after the Mediterranean and Carribean.” In a recent island-hopping voyage to the Philippines, famous travel author Lindsay Talbot mentioned the Philippines as a prime destination most travelers have long been overlooked. 

She raved about the country and admittedly, was enticed by its historic cities and emerald islands. She highlighted that the Philippines, chosen as No. 1 in the World by the magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, lived up to its ranking.

Talbot, a seasoned traveler who has been to more than a dozen cruises, splendidly recalled how the archipelago of many tiny islands surprised her with “seas in shades of blue, so unreal that they could’ve been stolen from screen savers.” 

She then described Palawan’s Underground River as “a journey to a stygian darkness, past cathedral-like caverns, dripping with millennia-old stalagmites. She summarized the trip as full of surprises and recounted, “the thrill was in the voyage itself.”

Speaking of thrill, it was a different kind of thrilla Manila saw with the maiden voyage of Superstar Virgo to the city on the morning of March 19, 2017. The flagship of one of the world’s largest luxury cruise ships officially made Manila one of its homeports. 

In cruise industry term, "homeport" is often used in reference to a ship, which carries majority of passengers from its point of origin, passes through designated destinations and comes back to where it came from. 


This momentous event in Philippine tourism industry was a shared effort of the Philippines and China, aimed at boosting sea travel from Manila to Laoag-Kaohsiung,Taiwan-Hongkong and back to Manila. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and Manila city officials led the rousing welcoming rites.

“Manila, Boracay, Puerto Princesa and other port-ready destinations in the country are bound to experience unprecedented tourism traffic. And because of increasing number of cruise ships visiting Manila, it may yet become an international cruise hub,” says DOT Director Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo who represented Secretary Teo on the initial voyage.

“As the first-ever cruise ship to dock in Manila, Superstar Virgo will etch a milestone in our tourism journey, as both ship and our shores will provide vacationers, including locals, the convenience of not having to fly to either Hong Kong or Singapore to take a cruise,” says Teo in her message read by Jorda-Apo.


The 13-storey, 935-cabin, 2,600-passenger capacity cruise ship boasts of many specialty restaurants, bars, game rooms, a shopping mall, gym, massage spa, and a roof-deck swimming pool. It is 268 meters in length and 32 meters in width, with an average of 24 knots cruising speed. It arrived in Hongkong on March 22, carrying 2,200 passengers.

Dubbed as the “Jewels of the South China Sea” voyage, the trip was a 6 Day/5 Night cruise covering the cities mentioned. 

“It is truly an honor for the Philippines to be part of this momentous occasion of Star Cruises’ homeporting in the Philippines. We are grateful for Star Cruises for believing in the Philippines and helping us get closer to our vision as a regional cruise center, and eventually as center for cruise crew training, maintenance services and ship building in the long term,” Jorda-Apo adds. 

Getting to know a cruise ship

A cruise ship is a big luxury recreation vessel with a modern design and equipped with the latest sea navigational technology. 

It is built like a 5-star hotel complete with luxurious amenities found in the same brand hotels. It travels to pre-destined resort cities and returns to its homeport.

Unlike an ocean liner, which only transports passengers across oceans, a cruise ship provides entertainment, recreation and relaxation by taking people on board - from a single day to a week and comes back to its originating port to pick up vacationers anew.

During its initial voyage to Manila, Superstar Virgo management toured this author and DOT people around its ultra modern facilities, from deluxe cabins to its palatial grand lobby, from its gourmet restaurants to jaw-dropping theatres and expensively designed dining halls. 


We were also accorded a sneak preview of the galley manned by multinational chefs, among them a number of Filipinos. 

On both ends of “The Piazza”, the nerve center of Superstar Virgo, one can find a casino, Broadway-like theatre and cinema with comfortable and upholstered seats, Duty-Free shops, and more specialty restaurants. 

On the uppermost deck are the following: a fitness center, beauty salon, spa, swimming pool, spiral tube ride that spits you out (not to the sea) but to another pool, hot tubs, lounges, library, and more clubs. In a nutshell, cruise ships like the Superstar Virgo pamper passengers with the best of hospitality set along the sea.

The global cruise tourism picture

Over the last decade, cruising has become an integral part of tourism, contributing over $25 billion yearly to the industry’s booming sector. The major bulk of the business comes from North American and European regions but other areas, like Asia, are also catching up.

In 2016, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the unified global organization of the cruise industry, released the State of the Cruise Outlook, revealing that global cruise travel is continuing to grow and evolving at a record pace. 

The outlook provides a snapshot of the cruise industry while also highlighting trends impacting cruise travel. It has a voice in each of the following location: Alaska, North America, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Northern Asia, and Southeast Asia.


The Facts: 

There are currently 62 cruise lines in the world. 275 are Executive Partners (key suppliers and cruise line affiliates in ports and destinations, ship development and business services. 20,000 are travel agencies, which include the largest, hosts, franchises and a consortia of 30,000 travel agents.

24 million passengers cruised in 2016, 23.2 million in 2015, 22 million in 2014 and 21 million in 2013. 33.7% passengers went to the Carribean, 18.7% to the Mediterannean, 13.8% to other cities in the world and only 9.2% went to Asia. The industry provided 939,232 jobs, paid $39.3 billion in wages and salaries from an average of $134.72 daily passenger spending.

In 2014, cruise ship tourists from Canada numbered 800,000, 840,000 were from Italy, 700,000 from China, 590,000 from France and 450,000 from Spain. Demand for cruising has increased by 68% in the last 10 years and Asia is slowly showing on the map



8 out 10 CLIA-member travel agents stated that they are expecting an increase in sales over the previous year (2015). Between 2008 and 2014, cruise travel outpaced general leisure travel in the US by 22%.

At a glance, here’s an example of how cruise tourism rewards Canada with substantial economic growth. Why are we making use of Canada as an example? The world’s biggest number of cruise ship passengers comes from the country.

. Canadian ports received nearly 2 million passengers on hundreds of cruise calls over the last three years

. Ports in Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, Victoria and Vancouver account for over half of all Canada’s cruise passenger traffic

. Cruise business in Canada generates over 440,000 hotel night stays and some 6,000 direct and indirect jobs. The arrival of each cruise ship in Vancouver, British Columbia stimulates more than $2 million in economy activity

. Canada’s New England ports collectively welcomed more than 1,300 ship calls from 25 different cruise lines and more than1.5m passengers in 2014. Cruises generated an economic impact in excess of $1bn for the region

. Ship turnarounds in St. John’s, Newfoundland led to an economic impact of approximately $1.36 million dollars for 2014. Annual overall impact of the cruise industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is estimated to be over $11 million.  

US cruise tourism industry

The annual cruise industry revenue for the US economy was valued at 37.85 billion dollars. The number of cruise industry jobs generated annualy 314,000. The yearly number of cruise ship passengers is 20,335,000. 



Below are other interesting facts about the cruise ship business in the US

Percent of cruise passengers that originated in North America
60 %
Average annual growth rate of the cruise industry since 1980
7.4 %
Number of children 18 and under that sailed with their families
1,600,000
Number of new cruise ships that debuted in 2009
14
Number of new cruise ships currently on order
26
Amount being spent on new ships
$15 billion
Percent of cruises that were in the Caribbean
37.02 %
Average length of a cruise
7.2 days
Number of North American embarkation ports
30
Number of embarkation ports around the world
2,000
Average ship capacity utilization
104 %
Number of cruise ships that have sank since 1979
55
Total number of passengers who died on a cruise ship since 1979
172
*Death count includes all causes of death
Cruise Passenger Demographic Statistics
Data
Average age of a cruise passenger
50 +
Average household earnings
$109,000
Percent of passengers who are college graduates
86 %
Percent who are married and work full time
62 %
Percent of people age 25+ with earnings of $40,000+ who have taken a cruise
44.6 %
Percent of the total US population who have taken a cruise
19.9 %
Average spent per person per week on their cruise
$1,770
Average spent per person per week on a non-cruise vacation
$1,200
Cruise Passenger Behaviors & Attitude Statistics
Data
Percent of cruise passengers who think its a great way to sample destinations
80 %
Percent of would return to the Caribbean for a land based vacation
50 %



More revenues, more jobs for Filipinos

The Department of Tourism (DOT) expects to rake in more earnings from cruise tourism. Secretary Tulfo-Teo stressed that Genting’s flagship vessel will provide the government, private operators and host areas, a consistent stream of revenues and employment opportunities.

“We look forward to many years of fruitful, mutually-beneficial relationship with Star Cruises. Moreover, there is a bright future ahead for the cruise industry, as passengers in the future will want to travel more often,” she says.

For the 94,000 PDD (Passenger Destination Days in 2015, an estimated US$ 21.2M was spent by foreign tourists from 77 local port calls. This was direct contribution to the Philippine economy, the Philippine Department of Tourism says. The amount is expected to increase to 120,000 PDDs as it targets 117 fully operational local ports this year. 

According to DOT, the city government also earns additional revenues from pre-and post-cruise services, like provisioning, bunkering, garbage disposal and sludge removal.

It also mentions a most important aspect of the industry. Crewing. Whether in transit or homeporting, Filipinos comprise the bulk of the liners’ manpower and are regarded as the most sought-after among other nationalities. Filipinos comprise more than one third of Superstar Virgo’s crew, with a good number serving as supervisors. 

Confidence in the Philippine market

Star Cruises President Ang Moo Lim said, the new itinerary was in support of the Asia Cruise Cooperation (ACC) to help promote Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Hainan and Xiamen.

In an exclusive interview, Jorda-Apo puts it succinctly: “With the completion of our National Cruise Tourism Strategy, this will serve as a roadmap for the country and its players in achieving our long-term goal of being, not only as a destination or port of call, but as a homeport that can generate more jobs for Filipinos. We hope to see the Philippines as a preferred market, see the economy improve and boost the Filipinos’ capacity to spend for recreation.” 



Development of soft and hard facilities is crucial, according to the infrastructure-savvy Jorda-Apo. She foresees that by the end of the Duterte administration, Filipinos will see the realization of the Philippines’ first dedicated cruise terminal, including the parallel building and upgrading of other harbors. 

“This would increase our capacity to serve more and bigger ships, which can bring in as much as 5,000 passengers. Our ultimate goal is to be as seamless as possible, and to gain competitiveness as a major cruise hub in Asia,” she says.

DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon thanked Star Cruises and its parent company Genting, for including Manila a part of the cruise. He said, Star Cruises also plans to add more Philippine destinations, like Boracay and Cebu in its future cruise itinerary.

Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) Deputy Director Dr. Wayne Liu and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Executive Director Mr. Anthony Lau also gave their congratulatory speeches to Star Cruises.


Vital for the economy

When tourist comes in, whether by ship or air travel, the country without a doubt, benefits from the top to the bottom of the food chain. The entry of Superstar Virgo, thus, ignites a new interest for cruise tourism. 

Low-wage earners like Aling Esang, for example, a souvenir item worker for a supplier in Laoag, will get more pesos for her trinkets and bracelets. Seasonal tourist guides will be busy adjusting to fully booked schedules. 

Ana Tonogbanua, who used to treat the job as ‘raket’, will become a full-pledged tourism specialist. As tourists start to pour, college teacher Macopa Lacio and her students will be more proud of their community’s history and cultural heritage. The chain reaction goes on and on.

Eateries, dining areas, cafes, restaurants, transportation, what-have-you, all thrive when tourism flourishes. Standards become upgraded, roads and infrastructure improve, forex money rings merrily at the cash register. In the end, the economy grows from the revenues that flow in.

Picture the multiplier effect. Businessmen will source goods locally, giving the local industry and supporting industries a big boost. Income is felt quickly, triggerring local spending. The multiplier effect steamrolls and the tourist dollar earned, cycled back to the economy.

Stylish travel minus the hassle

Why cruise? Cruising takes the stress out of travelling. You need not pack and repack your luggage and encounter long queues at the immigration counter. With a cruise ship, you don’t arrive at your hotel exhausted, suffer jetlag and starve.  You stay in the ship built like a hotel and everything is arranged for you.

Cruising is now the fastest growing part of the travel industry. Around 24% of Americans have cruised at least once before and more and more people are now realizing the value-for-money cruising offers.


Like what Filipino tourist Maria Nelly Apostol said: “It was well-worth the money we paid for. Our bags were taken cared of, we were treated to different shows every night, food great, the crewmembers and staff were friendly, and there’s no time to get bored. You just relax, because that exactly what you came for,” she said.

Cecille Autajay and her husband travelled all the way from Antique to catch Virgo’s inaugural tour in Manila. She praises the ship’s efficiency, from the moment she stepped onboard. “The trip was smooth as silk, although there were hiccups (like immigration passport clearances), we enjoyed the food, amenities, city tours, not to mention the nightly entertainment presentations that were just a super as the ship’s name,” she said.

“With a library, world-class Filipino singers and entertainers, cinema, spa, pubs and nightclubs, cafes, internet access, medical facilities, and plenty of stores for shopping, I will definitely go back and cruise again,” says businessman Jake Pantaleon of a real estate company.

The world’s largest cruise ships

In his “Now Boarding” website, author Les Shu mentions that thirty of the world’s largest cruise ships measure more than 1,000 feet in length (roughly the length of four Boeing 747s or nearly three football fields. 

“Allure of the Seas”, for instance, the largest ship ever built, can carry up to 6,296 passengers, making it more of a floating town (filled with stores, restaurants, museums, and plazas) rather than simply an ocean vessel. It’s even longer than the U.S.S. Nimitz aircraft carrier,” he says.
Some experts think the “Allure of the Seas” (and a similar-sized sister ship (“Oasis of the Seas”) could be the biggest ships the world will ever see.


Here are five of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Allure of the Seas: At 1,187 feet, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas and sister ship “Oasis of the Seas” are the world’s largest, weighing 225,286 gross tons. It has a skating rink, theater featuring Broadway musicals, carousel, zip line, casino, park with real trees, shops, and 25 restaurants (including a Starbucks), and is divided into seven neighborhoods. The ships are also equipped with solar panels to generate energy for various areas.

Quantum of the Seas: Also from Royal Carribbean, the newest of the fleet – is a bit smaller than Allure and Oasis, measuring 1,139 feet and weighing 168,666 gross tons. With a max capacity of 4,905 passengers, what Quantum lacks in size, it makes up for with crazy amenities, such as a skydiving simulator, bumper cars, open-air park, and 360-degree views from a hinged capsule that floats over the water. 

The ship is also one of the most high-tech: there’s the Bionic Bar with a robotic bartender that mixes drinks, mobile check-in and boarding, RFID used for purchases (via wristband) and luggage tracking, virtual concierge, iPad photo gallery, USB charging, virtual theater, and satellite-based Internet that’s robust enough for streaming videos and multiplayer games.



The Epic: Measures 1,081 feet and weighs 155,873 gross tons, claims the largest bowl slide in its water park. For sports buffs, there’s a center equipped with rock climbing and basketball court, and a bowling alley. 

If you’re into off-Broadway productions, you can partake in a Blue Man Group performance. There are dedicated rooms and a lounge for solo travelers, and an Internet cafĂ© if you must check your e-mail. Royal Caribbean must have an obsession with building big ships, because the company also owns these three (all measuring 1,112 feet and weighing 154,407 gross tons). 

Freedom of the Seas: From 2006 to 2009, it was the world’s largest, and as one of the Royal Caribbean’s “older” ships. Its amenities may not sound as impressive but the ship boasts of 10 pools and whirlpools, a surfing simulator, skating rink, mini golf course, and 3D theater.

Queen Mary 2: When it made its maiden voyage in 2004, it was not only the world’s largest (1,132 feet, 148,528 gross tons), but was arguably the most luxurious. Its size pales in comparison to Royal Caribbean’s big ships, but its unique livery and services make it still one of the grandest. 

It was also the first to have a planetarium, as well as a library and live-performance theater. Inside its stately exterior are desalination plants for providing fresh water and a sophisticated engine system.